Plant Grow Reap

Hosted by Aintree Group

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Jun 2026

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A podcast for curious and courageous life-long learners, brought to you by the advisors at Aintree Group. Plant Grow Reap is a space for continuous learning – where curiosity is celebrated and practical wisdom is shared. Whether you’re navigating the early stages of your career, building a business, or simply passionate about personal growth, each episode offers insights to help you thrive. Hosted by the Aintree Group team, Plant Grow Reap features honest reflections and expert guidance on business, career development, and beyond. If you’re someone who believes there’s always more to learn, this podcast is your go-to resource for growth, curiosity and reaping the benefits of shared experience. New episodes available fortnightly.

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60 recent

June 7, 20261 hr 16 min

2026 Budget & Tax Planning Seminar with Shane McKenna

Aintree Groups 2026 Budget & Tax Planning SeminarIn this special episode of the Plant Grow Reap Podcast, we bring you the complete recording of Aintree Group's 2026 Budget & Tax Planning Seminar, held at Aintree Group's Hawthorn East headquarters on Wednesday, 20 May 2026.Hosted by Shane McKenna, Managing Director and Chartered Accountant at Aintree Group, this annual seminar provides a practical, plain-English breakdown of the latest Federal Budget announcements and the opportunities they create for Australian business owners, investors, trustees, and families.Throughout the session, Shane and the Aintree Group team unpack the key Budget measures, discuss their potential impact, and share practical end-of-financial-year (EOFY) tax planning strategies designed to help individuals and businesses make informed decisions before 30 June.Whether you're looking to better understand recent legislative changes, optimise your tax position, or prepare your business for the financial year ahead, this seminar delivers timely insights and actionable strategies from experienced accounting and advisory professionals.In this seminar:Key 2026 Federal Budget announcements explained in plain EnglishPractical EOFY tax planning strategiesTax optimisation opportunities for businesses and family groupsConsiderations for investors and trusteesUpdates relevant to small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs)Strategic planning insights for the year ahead. This podcast episode contains the full audio recording of the seminar. For the complete experience, including presentation slides, visual examples, and supporting materials referenced throughout the session, we recommend watching the full video recording on YouTube.Watch the full seminar here: https://youtu.be/YVE26OttzjcDisclaimer: The information presented in this seminar is general in nature and does not constitute financial, taxation, or legal advice. Professional advice should be sought before acting on any information discussed.

May 24, 202619 min

Exploring Company Director Rights with Liam McColl

Exploring Company Director Rights In this episode, Associate Lawyer Liam McColl takes a deep dive into one of the most fundamental, yet often misunderstood, rights in corporate governance: a Director’s right to access company information.Liam unpacks why these rights are so critical to the proper functioning of a company, and how the law is designed to protect Directors and officeholders in fulfilling their duties. From financial records to internal documents, he explains what Directors are legally entitled to access and why denying that access can quickly escalate into serious legal consequences.He also walks through what happens when access is refused, including the court process involved in enforcing a Director’s rights, and the practical realities businesses should be aware of when disputes arise. Importantly, Liam outlines how Directors can appoint trusted agents, such as lawyers or accountants, to review company records on their behalf, and what that process looks like in practice.Whether you’re a Director, business owner, or part of a leadership team, this episode offers valuable insight into the legal frameworks that underpin transparency, accountability, and good governance in Australian businesses.This is a complex and highly important area of law. If you have any questions about your rights or the rights of Directors to access company information, reach out to Liam and the team at Aintree Group Legal or visit aintreelegal.com.au.

May 10, 202644 min

People, Performance & Practical HR with Allaina Smith

Smart HR Strategies for Small Businesses with Allaina SmithAllaina Smith, Founder and Director of Jigsaw People Solutions, shares practical and refreshingly honest insights into people, performance, and what HR really looks like for small and medium-sized businesses.This episode unpacks common misconceptions around HR, the challenges business owners face when managing people, and why many so-called “recruitment problems” are actually retention and leadership issues.Allaina also explains how small businesses can build strong HR foundations without unnecessary complexity, and the growing importance of AI policies, contractor vs employee risks, and Fairwork compliance.Packed with practical advice and clear takeaways, this episode is a must-listen for business owners who want to sleep better at night knowing their people practices are sound, sustainable, and aligned with their business goals.Connect with Allaina: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allaina-smith-%F0%9F%A7%A9-87455945/More from Jigsaw: www.jigsaw.com.au

April 26, 202626 min

Why the new AML Laws are a Big Deal for Businesses with Julie Pidgeon

New AML laws are here - but what do they actually mean for businesses on the ground?From 1 July 2026 all professional service firms in Australia are required to comply with the new AML CTF laws - which include policies, procedures and risk profiles relating to professional standards and client activity.In this episode, Julie, Governance Manager, and Zoe, Operations Manager, sit down to unpack the latest Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance changes in Australia, with a closer look at how they’re impacting organisations across Melbourne.They break down what’s changed, what it means in practice, and why compliance is no longer just a box-ticking exercise. From increased regulatory scrutiny to evolving reporting obligations, Julie and Zoe explore how businesses can stay ahead while maintaining efficient day-to-day operations.The conversation also highlights common challenges organisations are facing as they adapt to the new requirements - and where many are getting caught out. With practical insights from both a governance and operations perspective, they share how teams can embed compliance into their processes without slowing everything down.Whether you’re across the detail or just trying to understand where to start, this episode is your guide to the key items and resources available to make sure you're compliant before 1 July.

April 12, 202629 min

Busting Credit Score Myths for Borrowers

Do you really need a credit card to build a good score?Does Afterpay actually affect your credit?And does your credit score even matter?In this episode of Plant. Grow. Reap., finance experts Steve Lake (National Lending Group) and Amanda Byrne break down the most common credit score myths they hear from borrowers every day.If you’re thinking about applying for a loan in the next 6–12 months, this is one you don’t want to miss.In this episode, we cover what credit scores are, how they actually work, how to get a better credit score - and the benefits when you have a good credit score.Get informed, get prepared, and set yourself up for success.Connect with Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stlake/Connect with Aintree Group: https://aintreegroup.com.au/

March 29, 202639 min

Rethinking Work, Worth & Impact in the Age of Automation ft. Monica Marquez from FlipWork

AI is your intern, not your replacement!In this episode, Chelsea is joined by Monica Marquez from Flipwork — a specialist in change management, culture, people and technology — to unpack what it really means to integrate AI into businesses the right way.They challenge the outdated idea that effort equals success, exploring how impact — not busyness — is the new measure of meaningful work. Monica introduces a powerful reframe: AI isn’t a threat — it’s your intern. When trained well, AI can support teams, reduce friction and make work easier, not replace human expertise. Spending less time on repetitive tasks isn’t cutting corners; it’s creating space to apply your uniquely human skills where they matter most.The conversation explores what successful AI adoption looks like in practice, where organisations often get stuck, and why some initiatives thrive while others fail — including real-world examples from companies like IKEA.Reach Out FlipWork: https://www.flipwork.ai/Connect with Monica: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/

March 15, 202629 min

Practice Pay-Runs & Being Proactive Ahead of Payday Super

This episode of Plant Grow Reap is a must-listen for all employers, Directors and business owners.Payday Super is taking effect from 1 July 2026. Chartered Accountant and Aintree Group Manager Trung Le breaks down the key items you should be across, and the steps you can take to be the most prepared and proactive ahead of the rollout of these rules - including doing a practice payrun.Payday Super Resources:https://aintreegroup.com.au/insights/payday-super-update/https://www.ato.gov.au/businesses-and-organisations/super-for-employers/payday-superIf you need assistance with your payroll or superannuation obligations, you can reach out via our website: aintreeaccounting.com.au.

March 1, 202656 min

Financial Success for Artists & Performers with Salty Theatre

Andrea McKenna from Aintree Group and Ash Tickell from Salty Theatre share the ultimate guide to financial success for people working in the Australian arts industry. Building on a seminar they hosted earlier this year for local performing artists, this episode dives deep into how creatives can confidently manage irregular, gig-based income and make smart financial decisions that support long-term stability and growth. From saving and budgeting to investing, superannuation, contracting, invoicing, taxes, and building wealth on a gig income, this conversation is packed with practical advice and real-world examples to help artists and performers take control of their financial future. BOOK A SPOT AT OUR NEXT FINANCE FOR ARTISTS WORKSHOP: https://aintreegroup.com.au/finance-for-artists-workshop/ More from Aintree Group: https://aintreegroup.com.au/ | @aintregroup More from Salty Theatre: https://saltytheatre.com.au/ | @saltytheatre

February 15, 202644 min

What’s the Recipe for Success in the Hospitality Industry? Ft. Shaun De Vries from Open Pantry Consulting

Why is it so hard to succeed in hospitality — and what’s the recipe for success?In this episode of Plant Grow Reap, CEO and business advisor Andrea McKenna sits down with long-time hospitality professional Shaun De Vries from Open Pantry Co. to unpack the realities of running a hospitality business.With over 25 years of hands-on industry experience, Shaun shares why hospitality can be such a challenging space to succeed in, and how he’s now working to strengthen the industry by advising both new and established hospitality business owners. The conversation explores key challenges including supply chains, technology, investor management, and recruitment and training.This episode offers a practical, honest look at what it really takes to build a sustainable hospitality business — and how stronger foundations can lead to long-term success.Hear more from Shaun & Open Pantry Co:https://www.openpantryconsulting.com/https://www.instagram.com/openpantryconsulting/

February 1, 202636 min

100 Episodes of Insight: 10 Lessons That Stand Out

To celebrate our 100th Aintree Group podcast episode across Plant Grow Reap and Q&A with S&A, we’re stepping back to reflect on the biggest lessons, recurring themes and insights shared by our incredible guests so far.Across conversations with business owners, professionals, athletes, creatives and community leaders, clear patterns have emerged. In this special milestone episode, we distil 100 episodes of wisdom into 10 powerful takeaways — from finding and following your personal purpose, to recognising early warning signs of burnout, rethinking what retirement really looks like, and why empathy, values and connection matter more than ever.We explore why there’s no single “right” career path, how the long way around can often be the most fulfilling, and why asking for help from trusted advisors is a strength, not a weakness.Whether you’re a long-time listener or discovering the podcast for the first time, this episode is a chance to pause, reflect and take something meaningful from the collective experience of 100 honest conversations — and counting.Subscribe to Plant Grow Reap or Q&A with S&A wherever you get your podcasts:https://aintreegroup.com.au/podcasts/Find out more about Aintree Group:https://aintreegroup.com.au/